Discovery Kenya XC: Boost to athletes as prize money increased

Organisers of the Discovery Kenya Cross Country have increased the prize money for this year’s event slated for January 31 at the Eldoret Sports Club.

The winners of the 10km senior men and women races will now bag Sh25,000 up from the previous sh20,000 while the winners of the junior races (8km boys and 6km girls) will pocket Sh15,000 from sh10,000.

According to David Letting, one of the race organisers, the top 10 finishers in each category will also earn cash prizes with those who finish in the top 50 also entitled to be rewarded.

“We have decided to increase the prize money in this year’s event since we know that our athletes have suffered a lot due to challenges brought about by Covid-19. We therefore urge athletes to turn up in numbers as we do not charge anything for registration. Our intention is actually to support our athletes,” Letting told Citizen Digital.

While the event was one of the few races held last year prior to the onset of the pandemic, the upcoming event will exclude children’s fun races for the first time due to measures instituted to curb the spread of the virus.

“We will not be having all the races as usual for the obvious reasons associated with health and we have decided to suspend the children events for this year. Therefore we will only have four events.

“We have also set up measures to conform to the Ministry of Health protocols to contain Covid-19 and I want to assure our athletes of their safety at the Eldoret Sports Club,” said Letting.

At the 30th edition, the race is one of the oldest and most successful event having produced global stars over the years.

World marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei, half marathon world record holder Peres Jepchirchir, world 10,000m bronze medallist Rhonex Kipruto are among the long chain of Kenyan athletes that have grown through the event sponsored by Rosa Associati.

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Eldoret Sports Club Discovery Kenya Cross Country Prize money increased

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